JOHNNY Levins is the latest racehorse trainer who has decided not to renew his licence. In recent weeks Michael Halford, Michael Hourigan, Prunella Dobbs and Leanne Breen have also confirmed they will no longer train.

Based on the Curragh, Levins has trained for 12 years and had approximately 150 winners. He told The Irish Field: “It has been on my mind since my son Theo was born. My girlfriend and son live in Chester and it was getting tougher with all the travelling, back and forward, for us.

“I enjoy British racing and, with so many opportunities over there, it makes sense for me to move to England rather than have them move here. It wasn’t a tough decision as it’s important to me to be there for my son and be the best father I can.”

Levins has secured a position with trainer Ollie Sangster, one of the rising stars of the sport in Britain. “I feel he is the most promising and up-and-coming trainer of recent years,” Levins said. “He has a very good team around him and his vision is clear on where he wants to be, competing at the very top level and I believe he will achieve that. If I can be a small part of that progress it would be great.

“My partner Alex and I will look at developing a training operation in the future but, for now, I will be putting all my energy into helping Ollie achieve his goals.”

Reflecting on his time as a licence holder, Levins said: “I’m proud to have been involved in the careers of [jockeys] Donagh O’Connor and Sean Kirrane. They started with me and both became very successful.

“I don’t have the pedigree as such to have been a trainer. I achieved everything on hard work, determination, and support from my parents and my sister Audrey.

“I’m proud of the fact that the majority of my owners have become and remain good friends and the staff over the years are still in touch.

“Any time you train a winner for an owner is a proud moment.”

He has found new homes for all the horses he trained and his staff have found new positions. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed training and there is nothing that will give you the high of success on the racetrack. You get to take on the best in the world and be in their company and feel somewhat significant.”

Hourigan retires

The news comes a week after Michael Hourigan announced his retirement from the training ranks after more than 50 years with a licence.

Based in Patrickswell, Co Limerick, Hourigan embarked on his training career in 1973 and enjoyed a golden spell in the 1990s and 2000s, with stable stars Dorans Pride and Beef Or Salmon leading the way.

He said: “It’s time. I’ve been working with horses since I was 14 years old and I am 77 now. Now is the right time and I’m happy I’m going out on my own terms, I’m not being pushed out.”

Deep Bramble, Church Island, Tropical Lake and four-time Grade 1 winner Hi Cloy were among some of his best runners, but Dorans Pride and Beef Or Salmon both proved prolific top-level scorers.

Dorans Pride racked up six Grade 1 victories in 70 starts under rules, with his career spanning 10 years.

His wins included the 1995 Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse before successfully switching to fences to claim a Drinmore Novice Chase, the Powers Gold Cup and the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

That Leopardstown contest, now known as the Irish Gold Cup, was also to prove a happy hunting ground for Beef Or Salmon who claimed the crown in 2003, 2006 and 2007 as part of his 10 top-level strikes.

He won the Punchestown Gold Cup, a John Durkan Chase and two renewals of the Champion Chase at Down Royal in an exceptional 51-race career. Beef Or Salmon also won three Lexus Chases in 2002, 2004 and 2005 – a race Dorans Pride landed in 1998.

Hourigan’s daughter Laura currently trains in her own name from the same base.